Black Asahi Pentax Spomatic circa 1968/9, 50mm f1.4 Classic: Spring cleaning continues - for the Pentax collector ! Classic and scarce BLACK Asahi (not Honeywell) Pentax Spotmatic with...

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

Spring cleaning continues - for the Pentax collector !

Classic and scarce BLACK Asahi (not Honeywell) Pentax Spotmatic with 50m f1.4, OEM case, strap, hood, lens cap, close-up filter and instructions/literature. Very hard to find in this condition and completed package ! And, yes the lens is period correct for the body - and, try and find one with the original/correct neckstrap intact .....

CONDITION: All functions are working properly except meter - and it might work with proper/new battery - I have not tried it. Cosmetics are as seen in photos. There is a very tiny bright spot on the top of the prism.

$250 includes shipping to lower 48/CONUS, PayPal preferred. Thanks for stopping by Pentax fans ! .....Larry
.

(Download)

jrh1354 Loc: Dayton, Ohio

You might want to check the sale prices of this camera on e-Bay. With the defects you cited, particularly not knowing if the meter works, you might be lucky to sell it for $100. e-Bay is being flooded with classic film cameras as the cameras in smart-phones continue to improve. I collect 35mm classic film cameras. I paid $46 for mine and added a 50mm f/1.4 lense for $35 more. While it's true that the all-black model is a bit pricier than the chrome version, the camera appraisal site I used places the value at $146 for a camera in "good" condition. Good luck on finding a buyer - JRH

SMPhotography Loc: Pawleys Island, SC

A beautiful piece of history! This is with the M42 screw thread, right?

I think you may be pricing yourself out of the market somewhat for $250, but good luck with your sale!

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

SMPhotography wrote:

A beautiful piece of history! This is with the M42 screw thread, right?

I think you may be pricing yourself out of the market somewhat for $250, but good luck with your sale!

Gee, thanks for all your "encouraging remarks" - I have been collecting Pentax for 30 years now......

It is a BARGAIN @ $250 ......and yes, screw mount

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

jrh1354 wrote:

You might want to check the sale prices of this ca... (show quote)

It is much better than "good" - even with all the "defects" and BTW thanks for all your encouraging remarks

I am quite familiar with ALL the ebay junk and their asking prices. 90% of sellers know NOTHING about cameras OR photography .

I know of NO original Pentax Spotmatic today with a working meter ! NOBODY should actually be using this camera anyway. If you want a user go by some dumpy chrome version that might still work - IF - it had just been refurbed. BTW, I have a several dumpy ones if you want to buy ?? .....

BTW, the price goes to $295 when it goes on ebay .... I do not HAVE to sell this either BTW and probably should'nt !
.

jrh1354 Loc: Dayton, Ohio

Sometimes the facts of life are not in our favor. I've paid less than the appraised value for most of the cameras in my collection. The appraisal group I rely on is made up of collectors who have been collecting for 30-40 years. You can try listing it on Etsy - their asking prices are quite a bit higher. I have no info on how many actually sell at the asking price.

SMPhotography Loc: Pawleys Island, SC

imagemeister wrote:

It is much better than "good" - even wit... (show quote)

The same goes with a Nikon FTN. There are a few that are still working but they are extremely rare. The meter in mine has not worked for about 15 years. I have heard it is possible to have the CdS cells replaced but it is rather expensive and not really worth it. I use an external incident/flash and 1º meter a good portion of the time anyway.

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

SMPhotography wrote:

The same goes with a Nikon FTN. There are a few that are still working but they are extremely rare. The meter in mine has not worked for about 15 years. I have heard it is possible to have the CdS cells replaced but it is rather expensive and not really worth it. I use an external incident/flash and 1º meter a good portion of the time anyway.

TreborLow

Brings back great memories. Thanks for the excellent pictures, though I never had the 1.4. Your camera is in better shape than my K3. And I still have and use several screw and bayonet mount Takumars (and extension tubes) to this day! My favorite is the 50mm, f1.7.
Take care,
Bob

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

TreborLow wrote:

Brings back great memories. Thanks for the excellent pictures, though I never had the 1.4. Your camera is in better shape than my K3. And I still have and use several screw and bayonet mount Takumars (and extension tubes) to this day! My favorite is the 50mm, f1.7.
Take care,
Bob

I have not actually used the 50 f1.7 - but it has a very GOOD reputation. I HAVE used the 55 f2 SMC Takumar and consider one of the best lenses I have ever used !

Thanks for stopping by ....

.

Country Boy Loc: Beckley, WV

I have it's twin, that is the first real camera I ever purchased and it is a fine instrument. If I were going to do film again, that would be the top choice of cameras for me!

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

Country Boy wrote:

I have it's twin, that is the first real camera I ever purchased and it is a fine instrument. If I were going to do film again, that would be the top choice of cameras for me!

Rab-Eye Loc: Indiana

imagemeister wrote:

I know of NO original Pentax Spotmatic today with a working meter !

In that case, was it fair to suggest that a new battery might make the meter work again?

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

Rab-Eye wrote:

In that case, was it fair to suggest that a new battery might make the meter work again?

When I say original, I mean one that has not been refurb/repaired and IF you could find a good working battery that would give some semblance of accuracy. With THIS camera, for me , the meter matters not - and should not.
.

dick ranez

Having owned a half dozen Spotmatics over the years, your photos of the black beauty bring back many fond memories. What really makes me sad is how the Pentax brand has degraded over the past twenty or so years so that it's hardly a player in today's market. Still many Pentax loyalists and fanatics out there and they deserve better than Ricoh is giving them.